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Cocaine Basics

February 6, 2010

Cocaine is a stimulant and one of the most abused drugs in the United States. It is extremely powerful and can be quite addicting. Some individuals use cocaine to have a good time.Other individuals work in professions or are pursuing degrees which require them to be up for long periods of time, alert and focused, thus they begin using the drug in order to function. What starts out as a functional or entertaining use turns into an ugly addiction that will eventually require some sort of intervention or serious help of some kind, most likely rehab.

Cocaine can be snorted in powder form. It can also be freebased (smoked) and injected. One of the most powerful forms of freebased cocaine is crack. Crack is extremely potent and addicting.

A person who uses cocaine will experience an increased heart rate, dilated pupils, constricted blood vessels, a surge of energy, the ability to better focus, alertness and aggressiveness. Individuals are also at risk of having a heart attack and stroke. These are the short term effects. The long terms are just as ominous. Individuals run the risk of heart damage, heart attack, respiratory and kidney failure, stroke and seizures.

Cocaine is illegal in the United States. Those who are caught with it, either with the intention to use or sell it, may face jail time. It is categorized as a Schedule 2 drug along with methamphetamines, opium, Fentanyl, opium, amphetamines and morphine. These drugs are known to be quite addicting but aren’t classified as Schedule 1 drugs because they may have some medical uses.

Cocaine does have the potential to be addicting. A psychological addiction to the drug can make it very difficult for people to stop using even when they know that it is dangerous and bad for them. Viewed as a party drug, people often times begin using it for that purpose. When it becomes difficult to stop, it has effectively developed into an addiction. Such individuals are perfect candidates for rehabilitation. Depending on the severity of their addiction, it may be necessary to enter an inpatient treatment. This type of program gives addicts an opportunity to receive around-the-clock care and support that many will need in order to get clean.